PRESS RELEASES: PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE PRESS

PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE Northern San Luis Obispo County Charities Encouraged to Download Application on PasoWine.com

Paso Robles, CA (May 22, 2013) The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation is pleased to announce its Community Grant Program application is now available online at www.pasowine.com/foundation. The Community Grant Program has been established to enhance the region’s social services by supporting northern San Luis Obispo County charities that focus on healthcare, education and greater community services. Organizations that fit the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation gifting platform are invited to visit www.pasowine.com/foundation to download an application. All applications must be postmarked by June 14, 2013. In-person deliveries to the Wine Alliance office will not be accepted.

“Since 2006, the Alliance has contributed more than $350,000 to 25 different charitable organizations,” said Jennifer Porter, Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “We are thrilled to continue this tradition of giving in 2013 with some exciting new changes to our Community Grant Program.”

Upon submission, applications will be reviewed for funding by the Gifting Committee. Organizations that best meet the established criteria will be selected to receive funding in 2013 and invited to present their program to Alliance membership in July. This small number of selected organizations will then be promoted alongside each upcoming auction lot to encourage higher interest and bidding.

The Alliance Community Grant Program funds are generated through two Wine Country Auctions and are gifted to the selected non-profits in December. The first auction took place at the 31st Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival RESERVE event on Friday, May 17 with $15,000 raised. The second auction will take place as a new online auction on eBay this November. This new strategy in fundraising for the Alliance enhances the outreach to wine enthusiasts beyond the confines of a single ticketed event and provides new marketing opportunities for Paso Robles Wine Country and its members.

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation is a 501 c 3 nonprofit charitable organization. Questions about the application process should be directed to Katie Nellesen at the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance at 805.239.8463 x210 or knellesen@pasowine.com. Applications are available for download at www.pasowine.com/foundation and MUST be postmarked by June 14, 2013. All direction for submission is available at www.pasowine.com/foundation.

ABOUT PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance represents wineries, growers and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California’s third largest wine region. It encompasses more than 35,000 vineyard acres and 270 wineries. For more information, visit www.pasowine.com.